PLEASE NOTE: This VYSA mailing is being sent to each members’ Chief Executive Officer presently on file at the State Office unless another individual has been designated to the State Administrator, Julie Caramanica. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING THIS MAILING TO DISTRIBUTE TO ALL APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OF THEIR CLUB OR LEAGUE.

REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 23, 2013

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., was called to order by President Denise Edwards at the Crowne Plaza Richmond West at 7:40 pm. Board members present were:

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the December 5, 2012, minutes. The minutes were approved. A motion was made and seconded to approve the December 5, 2012, Executive Session minutes. The minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORTThe Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. Jim Bonfils reported that he and the VYSA Finance Committee are working to make the format of the financial report more meaningful.

Jim has had several meetings with BB&T and has received verbal approval for the field complex financing. Formal approval should be received very soon.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported that pre-registration numbers for the VYSA Convention are very low. Board members are asked to get in touch with all their constituents directly. Information about the Convention is on the VYSA website.

Spring registration notices for submission of Spring fees and data will be sent to the membership in March.

The US Youth Soccer Convention in Indianapolis was very informative. Reports will be distributed by email.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Technical Director’s Report (Attachment C) was distributed. Gordon announced the coaching presenters for the VYSA Convention and noted that there will be two streams - one for recreation coaches and one for travel coaches. A Technical Directors’ meeting will be held on Friday, February 1st. Clubs are limited to two attendees at no charge; additional attendees may come at a cost of $30. A total of 80-85 TDs is expected.

The USSF “D” License course has changed. The new course information was presented at the US Youth Soccer Workshop. VYSA Coaching Education Staff will be trained and the new curriculum will begin in VYSA in July.

Good of the Game clinics continue. The position-specific “Training a Top Class Midfielder” clinic was very successful. Board member Richard Smith attended the clinic and spoke highly of it. It will be presented in other parts of the state in the coming months, and other position-specific clinics may be developed in the future.

The National Youth License course will be held in June and the USSF “C” License course in August, both in Fredericksburg. US Soccer has raised its fee from $150 to $250 for the “C”, therefore the fee for the VYSA hosted course will have to be increased from $710 to $810. The instructor/coach ratio is now lower and thus requires more work by the instructors. The course includes pre-course assignments for the candidates. Gordon noted that VYSA is one of few states that has three qualified National staff instructors for the “C”.

Gordon reported that he recently led the USSF “B” License course in Florida and that Paul is leading a clinic at the US Youth Soccer Workshop.
Gordon noted several ODP highlights:

• Teams traveled to North Carolina for the NC Friendlies in early January and played several Region III teams
• The Virginia Friendlies are February 22-24 in Williamsburg
• The 99 and 97 Girls and 99 and 98 Boys teams will be traveling to Italy March 24 - April 2
• Training takes place every Saturday in Richmond
• Katie Cousins has been invited to the U18 National Team Camp and Kevin Coleman has just returned from the U15 National Team Training Camp

REGION I AND US YOUTH SOCCER MEETINGS
Denise Edwards explained the financial policy voted on at US Youth Soccer Workshop. A $1 fee increase was proposed. John Sutter, US Youth Soccer President, attended the Region I meeting to speak in favor of the increase. A motion from the floor at the US Youth Soccer meeting was made to approve a 50 cent increase. The motion was not approved by a large margin.

Fees from US Youth Soccer to the Regions have been cut. These funds were to help with administrative expenses. There was discussion that US Youth Soccer absorb the Regions into the National Office and to have two Regional Managers. Region I , of course, is opposed to that suggestion as Region I has been quite successful over the years and objects to its funds being absorbed by US Youth Soccer. There was even discussion that Regional Directors be elected by the entire US Youth Soccer membership. It was agreed that State Associations rights would be lost if passed.

US YOUTH SOCCER WORKSHOP
There was a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of merging the US Youth Soccer Workshop with the NSCAA Convention. All in all, the merge seemed to work well, but some things should be improved. Communication issues for US Youth activities, lack of US Youth Soccer branding, and a focus on younger recreation coaches training rather than just older/upper level players were noted.

TOPSOCCER REPORTThe TOPSoccer Report (Attachment D) was distributed. Bob Sokolinsky reported that the three TOPSoccer sessions he attended at the US Youth Soccer Workshop were great. Bob discussed a National newsletter that has been distributed, but not US Youth approved. He asked it not be distributed to VYSA clubs.

Bob thanked VYSA for its support of the TOPSoccer program. Many states are not as supportive and their programs are not as successful.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
RFP’s received for the Owners Representative for field development were sent to the board prior to the meeting. Bob Maynes recommended hiring the Thurston Companies, subject to finalization of the bank loan. Denise noted that she has a great deal of confidence in the work Roy Pepper has done researching these companies. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Thurston Companies proposal once the letter of commitment from the bank is received. It was noted that it may be a few weeks before cash can be drawn from the loan. The motion passed.

GOOD OF THE GAMESteve Bender encouraged all to attend David Glass’s session for Soccer Across America at the VYSA Convention.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.

Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator

Next Board Meeting is Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Richmond West
(now called the Richmond Magnuson Grand Hotel)